Final answer:
Every human body cell contains 46 chromosomes arranged into 23 pairs, with one set inherited from each parent. These include autosomal chromosomes and a pair of sex chromosomes (XX or XY). Human gametes contain 23 unpaired chromosomes, resulting in a diploid offspring when combined during fertilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Each human body cell, also known as a somatic cell, contains a total of 46 chromosomes, which is a characteristic feature specific to our species. These chromosomes are organized into 23 pairs, with one set of chromosomes being inherited from each parent. This diploid arrangement, represented as 2n, ensures a complete set of genetic information in each somatic cell.
On each chromosome, thousands of genes are housed, coding for various proteins that contribute to an individual's traits. Among these 23 pairs, one pair are the sex chromosomes, which are either XX in females or XY in males, determining the sex of the individual. The remaining 22 pairs are known as autosomal chromosomes.
It is also important to note that human gametes, or sex cells (sperm and eggs), are haploid with just 23 chromosomes (designated as 1n), which is half the number of body cell chromosomes. During fertilization, the haploid gametes from each parent combine to restore the diploid number in the offspring.